Self-sealing envelop.



Patented Feb. 5, I90l.

A. H. & A. P DE LONG. SELF SEALING ENVELUP.

(Application filed Apr. e, 1900.

ill l lom c ys,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR H. DE LONG AND ALLEN P. DE LONG, OF LA PORTE, INDIANA.

SELF-SEALING ENVELOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 667,426, dated February 5, 1901.

Application filed April 6, 1900.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ARTHUR H. DE LONG and ALLEN P. DE LONG, citizens of the United States, residing at La Porte, in the county of La Porto and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Self-Sealing Envelop, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a self-sealing envelop having a stub attached thereto and bound in book form in plural; and the object of the same is to provide a practical and convenient device of this character for use in making stated or weekly contributions to church or other charitable institutions, societies, or associations, or for any other purpose where it is desired to keep a record of the amounts inclosed in the successively-deposited envelops, and without requiring the usual mechanical methods of sealing the same, and at the same time produce a reliable inclosure.

The usual method of making contributions at stated intervals is being almost universally adopted and is generally known as the envelop system, and the objections to the ordinary separate envelops commonly used for such purposes is that they are liable to become mislaid, lost, or destroyed. By our invention we propose to provide thirteen envelops, one for each Sunday of the quarter, or any other number desired, bound in convenient book form, with a stub attached to each envelop upon which memoranda may be kept of amount inclosed in the envelop and other data desired by the contributor.

The advantage of the present improvement over the ordinary gummed-flap envelop is that it is impossible to carry a book of envelops of such character in the pocket owing to the gum becoming moist and sticky and sealing the envelop before use. In the use of the improved device when the coin or bill is placed in the part of the envelop provided for such purpose and the parts of the envelop adjusted to close the same the coin or bill cannot be taken from the closed envelop without destroying or tearing the same, and thereby produce a practically self-sealing envelop. In addition each envelop, as before indicated, has a stub attached thereto, one end of the latter being bound to the book or in with other stubs of a similar character, while the Serial No. 11,854. 1N0 model.)

opposite extremity of each stub folds neatly I -of the blank from which the combined envelop and stub is formed. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the blank shown partially folded. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the combined envelop and blank as they appear before the envelop is closed and ready to receive the money contribution. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the envelopfully sealed and the stub exposed. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of a device as shown by Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a plurality of the envelope bound in book form.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates the main body of the blank, which is of substantial elongated rectangular form and has extending along a portion of one side thereof a lateral flap 2, with a narrow tongue 3 on the outer side edge thereof, which has its innersurface gummed or supplied with other adhesive material. The lower extremity of the main body 1 of the blank has a transverse folding-line 4, and at a predetermined distance below the same is a transverse line of separating-punctures 5 "between the lower terminal of the said body 1 and an elongated rectangular strip 6, which forms the stub for the completed envelop. Immediately below the folding-line 4: the right edge of the lower extremity of the body 1 of the blank is formed with a concaved recess 7, which provides an entrance mouth or opening in the completed envelop, or just before the envelop is sealed, for the introduction thereinto of the contribution. On the left edge of the main body 1 of the blank is an auxiliary inwardly-folding flap 8, having an intermediate foldingline 9, which coincides with the line 4, and at its lower terminal the said auxiliary flap has a transverse folding-line 10, coinciding with the separating-punctures 5, and so lo cated for convenience in interning a lower tongue 11, which is also supplied with a covering of adhesive material on the face oppo-- site that shown by Fig. 1. Above the folding-line 9 and starting from the same a longitudinal slot 12 is formed between the upper part of the flap 8 and the adjacent portion of the main body 1, which operates to prevent a bulky obstruction when the envelop is completely sealed in a manner which will be presently specified, the said slot being narrow and extending within a short distance of the upper extremity of said flap 8. For convenience in folding the flaps2 and S longitudinal folding-lines 13 and 14 are provided between the said flaps and the portions of the main body 1 from which they project.

The first step in constructing the envelop.

from the blankjust described consists in turning the flap 8 inwardly with. the tongue 11 bent upwardly and the adhesive substance thereon suitably moistened to fasten to the lower extremity of the main body 1 immediately above and close to the line of separat ing-punctures 5, as clearly shown-by Fig. 2. When the said flap 8 is so arranged, the transverse folding-line 9 is disposed coincidently I over the folding-line 4, and the rectangular strip 6 and the doubled portions of the blank up to the said folding-lines are turned over the parts above on the same lines and the flap 2 next turned over the parts so disposed and the tongue 3 thereof is fastenedto the back side of the upper part of the main body 1 of theblank and a portion of the folded members below, it being observed that the lower terminal of the said flap 2 is normally below or lower down relatively to the main body 1 than the upper terminal of the flap 8. When the parts have been disposed as thus far described, the device presents the appearance shown by Fig. 8, and which is the normal condition before the envelop is used, it being observed that the'upper part of the strip 6 projects above the upper terminals of the flap 2 and main body 1. Moreover, in this condition the concaved recess 7 would be on the outer side and the slot 12 to the left to relieve the obstructive bulk that would be otherwise formed between the main body 1 and the flap 8 from the folding-lines 4 and 9 uppermost.

The improved device in the form shown by Fig. 3 is bound into book shape, as illustrated by Fig. 6, and the secured flap 2 produces a slip through which the stub portion of the device extends and has on the outer side thereof printed matter designating the contributor, his number, the date of contribution, and amount contributed. If desired, other inscriptions of any nature may be applied to the face of the slip and serve as means for instructing the user how to arrange the envelop or make his deposit therein or the purpose for which the contribution is offered.

In using the envelop the coin or bill is inserted in the concaved recess 7 and between the part in which said recess is formed and ber of the envelop. ,has been fully exposed the self-sealing euvelop with the contribution therein can be easily separated on the line of punctures 5. It is obviously apparent that this same operation will be produced in arranging all the the adjacent fold, which is the lower portion of the flap 8. The upper exposed extremity of the stub or strip 6 is then grasped and gradually pulled upwardly, or if the stub remains intact in the book, as preferred, the slip is gradually pulled downwardly until the device has the appearance and arrangement shown by Fig. 4, and after such operation all the folds will have been fullyinclosed within the slip and the stub or strip is fully exposed with the line of punctures 5 directly above the top of the slip orcompletely sealed envelop. In this; condition the sealed tongue 11 will be at the top of the envelop and the bottom of the same will be completely doubled over with the conca-ved' recess 7 at about an intermediate point within the sealed envelop. As before indicated, the slot 12 prevents a bulky formation or crumpling of the paper or analogous material of which the envelop is formed when the parts are drawn to the position shown by Fig. 4, and on the strip 6 or stub will be printed, matter corresponding to that on the face of the sealed envelop or of'the secured flap 2, so that amemoranda may be kept of the amount deposited'and-the date of the contribution as well-as the num- After the strip 6 or stub envelops and also that changes in the form, proportions, size, and minor details may be resorted to without departing from the principle of the invention.

Having thus described'the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. As an improved article of manufacture, a selfsealing envelop made from a single blank and comprising a slip open at opposite extremities and arepository fold movable into and partially through said slip.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a self-sealing envelop made from a single blank and comprising a slip and folds partially movable therethrough and into the same from the end opposite that which is opened after sealing.

3. A self-closing envelop made from a single blank and having an inclosing member and normally-exposed folds including a repository which are drawn into and partially through the inclosing member and overturned.

4. A self-closing envelop made from a single blank and comprising an inclosing member open at opposite extremities, an'intermediate folded portion secured at one end, and a slidable strip continuous therewith and movable through theinclosing member, a part of the slidable strip and adjacent folds being normally disposed to provide receptive means for the contents of the envelop and overturned by the movement of the said strip through the inclosing member.

5. Aself-sealing envelop comprising an inclosing member and a series of folds movable thereinto by the adjustment of one of the parts, a portion of one of the folds being permanently secured before movement into the inclosing member.

6. Aself-closing envelop comprising astub which is separable therefrom and primarily forming a part of the same, the envelop being completed by movement of its parts over an inelosed portion of said stub.

7. A self-closing envelop having an inclosing member with a normally-exposed pocket or receptacle which is closed by longitudinal sliding movement into the said inclosing member.

8. A plurality of self closing envelops ARTHUR H. DE LONG. ALLEN P. DE LONG.

Witnesses:

CHAS. E. WOLFE, ALVIN J. KITT. 

